Method and means for taking moving pictures



Dec. 11 1923. 1,476,885

D. W. GRIFFITH METHOD'AND MEANS FOR TAKING MOVING PICTURES Filed Nov. 17, 1921 g I iNVENTOR 42: u pfllild [flag/ T576721,

u u 31-: u

Patented Dec. 11, 1923.

uNrrsD STATES PATENT- OFFICE.

DAVID WARK GB IFFITH, OF HAKABONECK, NEW YORK,

METHOD AND MEANS FOR T A KING MOVING PICTURES.

- Application med November 17, 192i. Serial No. 515,875.

' tion.

The object'of my invention is to provide a method and means by virtue of which it will be possible to reduce the cost of scenery when producing photo-plays by placing nae ural sized objects and actors in the foreground and small models and dummiesin the background and then operating the camera and the light effects and a curtain so that ultimately a negative will be formed in which the foreground and. background will be properly blended. This and other objects are accomplished by my invention, one embodiment of which is hereinafter more particularl set forth.

For a more detailed description of my invention, reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part hereof, in which Figure 1 is a longitudinal section of my invention.

Figure 2 is a sectional view, taken on the line 2-2 of Figure 1, looking in the direction of the arrows, an

Figure 3 is a view, taken on the line 3-3.

of Figure 2, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Throughout the various views of the drawings, similar reference characters designate similar parts. Where my invention is employed, a camera 1 of the usual type for moving picturcs is used which has an indicating device 2 by means of which it is possible to restore the film so that a double exposure may be had andithcfregistration will be perfect. Throughout theoperations hereinafter described, the position of the camera 1 remains unchanged.

The stage 3 has a dividing partition 4 with a window opening therein which may be closed by a black curtain 5. so as'tobc blank or which may be opened so that aview can be had from the: camera to the rear of the partition. The part of the stage 3 in front of the partition 4 is called the foreground and the, part of therstage in rear of the partition 4 is called the background, the camera being considered as beng glaced in front of the stage.

e foreground may be illuminated in the conventional manner, as by suitable lights (Sand the background is also illuminated -in a similar manner by suitable lights 7.

The lights 6 shine on actors 8 and the lights 7 shine on models 9 and dummies 10 which are inthe hack ound. The dummies, 10

may be moved y any suitable means as dow composed of a, city, a forest and clouds,

etc., and perhaps some moving dummies a boat on a lake or what not, the procedure is as follows:

.by strings 11 so as to give a realistic efiect.

The curtain 5 over the window is first Y the film is at its initial starting point, as

shown by the indicator 2, the curtain 1S removed from the window. the lights 7 are illuminated and then the film is again run through the camera and this time photographs. what is in the. background throu h the window. \Vhen the-negative isif veloped it will be composite and the fore ground and background will properly blend -lowered, "the lights 7 are extinguished and and positives may be taken from this negative in 'the usual way and from these positives the moving pictures can be displayed in which the foreground and background properly blend. By thciuse of this invention, it is possible to havea picture rep-.

resenting ancient Babylon at a. small 'expense. If the foreground andbackground were on the same scale, the expense would it. is possible to produce the picture with all the reality and vividness that it would be prohibitive. By the use of this invention,

have if taken in the usual way with full sized surroundings and background.

While I have'shown and described one embodiment'of my invention, it 18 obvious that is not restricted thereto, but that it foreground and background maybe photo graphed tat difierent times, the backgrounfi- -heing photographed through the window I I and a composite negative made in tha set my hand this 28th day of October, 1921.

2 Meaty for taking a composite film which consistsoof'acamera, a stage, a par- -tition with an opening therein which may be covered by a black curtain dividing the .stage nto a foreground-and a background,

foreground'li-ghts and background lights with life sized actors and objects in the ixteground, small models and dummies in I t a background and means for moving said dummies when desired so that. the foreground and 'background may be photographed at different times. the iiackground being photographed through the opening when the curtain is removed and a composite negati 'e made in theramera.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto DAVID WXRK GRIFFITH 

